Honest Bob Co

Free Training

Free Trade Training & Certificates

Knowledge is power. Here are free trainings most folks never hear about.

Written by a working plumber

Lots of manufacturers will teach you their products for free, and many hand you a certificate or installer card when you pass a short quiz. They’re good for apprentices, working pros brushing up, trade-school students, and curious homeowners who want to know what the pros know.

A couple of honest notes from Bob

  • A manufacturer card isn’t a license. It shows you learned their product. Gas piping, water heaters, and most plumbing work still need whatever license your state or town requires.
  • Homeowners: learn all you want, but gas work is a job for a licensed pro.
  • Some programs are for pros only. They may ask for a company name, license number, or distributor account. We’ve noted that where we found it.
  • “Cost not listed” means the program’s own page didn’t show a price when we checked. Look before you sign up.

Jump to a section

Gas piping (CSST)

Pro-Flex CSST: Qualified Installer Card

  • What you learn: Pro-Flex flexible gas piping: how to size, install, bond, and test it.
  • How it works: read the Pro-Flex installation and training guide, answer a short true/false quiz online, and print your Qualified Installer Card.
  • Format: online, self-paced.
  • Cost: no fee shown.
  • License: Pro-Flex says installers must also meet their state or local requirements.
  • Link: Pro-Flex: Get Qualified

Gastite / FlashShield+ CSST: Gastite eTraining (GET)

  • What you learn: system parts, layout, installation, inspection and repair, and pressure/leak testing, with a quiz after each section.
  • How long: about an hour, and you can stop and pick up later.
  • Certificate: a digital certification card, also shown in their free sizing app.
  • Format: online (in-person also available).
  • Cost: the course page lists it as free.
  • Who it’s for: industry professionals. Massachusetts doesn’t allow the online version, so MA installers need in-person training.
  • Link: Gastite certificate registration (course page: GET course)

TracPipe CounterStrike (OmegaFlex): installer training

  • What you learn: TracPipe basics, how to make the AutoFlare fitting, and a written quiz.
  • How long: about 45 to 90 minutes.
  • Format: scheduled sessions, often at a supply house, in person or by video. You can download your certificate from your training account.
  • Cost: OmegaFlex offers the scheduled training free. Some distributors sell a training-and-test kit, so ask for the free session when you book.
  • Link: OmegaFlex TracPipe training

WARDFlex CSST: online training card

  • What you learn: WARDFlex CSST installation. The manufacturer requires this training before you buy and install it.
  • Certificate: an electronic WARDFlex training card when you finish.
  • Format: online.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: WARDFlex online training

Water heaters (tank and tankless)

Noritz University (tankless)

  • What you learn: Residential Level 1 (tankless basics, in English or Spanish), Level 2 (maintenance and troubleshooting), and pre-mix vs. traditional burners.
  • Format: short video lessons, each course under an hour, ending with a quiz.
  • Cost: free and on demand.
  • Link: Noritz online courses

A. O. Smith University

  • What you learn: online certifications, including a Residential Certification (about 6½ hours: install, troubleshoot, repair) and an Online Tankless Workshop (about 2¼ hours). Classroom training is also offered.
  • Format: online, plus in person.
  • Cost: the PHCC Academy partner page says “the training is free.” The course page doesn’t show a price, so confirm at signup.
  • Link: A. O. Smith University

Bradford White: For The Pro Training Academy

  • What you learn: the Knowledge Series eLearning module.
  • Certificate: a “BW Factory Trained” badge on your Contractor Finder listing, not a printed card.
  • Format: online, plus in-person classes.
  • Cost: free.
  • Who it’s for: pros. You register as a Bradford White pro and the badge goes on a business directory listing.
  • Link: Bradford White For The Pro training

Rinnai Training Center (tankless)

  • What you learn: Rinnai product, installation, and service courses, with quizzes and certifications.
  • Access: through a Rinnai pro account (Rinnai Member / PRO Portal).
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: Rinnai for professionals

Rheem Academy / Ruud University

  • What you learn: Rheem and Ruud water heating and HVAC training, in class and online.
  • Access: may be set up through your distributor.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Also free to watch: Rheem’s “Plumber 2 Plumber” training videos, taught by master plumbers (no certificate).
  • Link: Rheem Academy · Ruud University · Plumber 2 Plumber videos

PEX, press fittings, and piping

Uponor Academy Online: Radiant Solutions program

  • What you learn: residential radiant heating design, myths, and install tips.
  • Certificate: a certificate of completion.
  • Format: on-demand, online.
  • Cost: free. The Uponor Academy account is free too.
  • Who it’s for: Uponor recommends it for people with some radiant experience.
  • Heads-up: Uponor’s AquaSAFE fire sprinkler qualification is a paid course for licensed plumbers and fire contractors, so don’t mix the two up.
  • Link: Uponor Radiant Solutions program

Viega: online courses and ProPress/MegaPress training

  • Online: an on-demand course portal for continuing education and Viega product training.
  • Hands-on: press credentials are usually earned at in-person classes (Viega seminar centers, or local sessions through supply houses and unions).
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: Viega training

SharkBite: online training for plumbers

  • What you learn: online plumbing courses and training videos from SharkBite’s parent company, RWC.
  • Certificate: not mentioned on the page.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: SharkBite training

Backflow, valves, and commercial plumbing

Zurn: continuing education courses

  • What you learn: one-hour courses on ADA plumbing fixtures, PEX tubing, water pressure, grease interceptors, Legionella flushing, drainage, and more.
  • Credits: most carry AIA and ASPE CEU credits, with a certificate through AEC Daily.
  • Format: on-demand (live presentations on request).
  • Cost: Zurn says the on-demand courses on AEC Daily are “at no cost.”
  • Link: Zurn continuing education

Watts: online training courses (including backflow)

  • What you learn: Watts product and water-industry courses, including backflow prevention.
  • Cost: Watts calls its online courses “free training on your time.”
  • Certificate: not confirmed, so check when you sign up.
  • Note: a state backflow tester certification is separate and usually costs money. This is product training.
  • Link: Watts training · backflow: Watts backflow education

Pumps and hydronics

Bell & Gossett: Online Little Red Schoolhouse

  • What you learn: centrifugal pump basics, pump curves and selection, and piping systems.
  • Credits: CEU-eligible courses.
  • Format: online and on demand, plus webinars and training videos.
  • Cost: Bell & Gossett calls these free online learning for industry professionals.
  • Link: Bell & Gossett training

Grundfos Ecademy

  • What you learn: short online pump courses. Pass a course test for a digital badge, or finish a learning track for a downloadable certificate.
  • Access: sign in with a Grundfos account.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: Grundfos Ecademy

Taco Comfort Solutions: Taco OTS online training

  • What you learn: hydronic heating, cooling, and plumbing comfort systems, at your own pace.
  • Credits: CEU credit hours.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: Taco OTS

Zoeller University Online (sump and sewage pumps)

  • What you learn: online courses on Zoeller products and technical know-how for plumbing pros.
  • Access: create a free profile on the Zoeller University site.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: Zoeller University Online

Fixtures and disposers

Delta Faucet: Delta Certified Installer

  • What you learn: a few focused online courses on Delta products.
  • Certificate: Delta Certified Installer status, plus a chance to join Delta’s installer directory.
  • Who it’s for: active, licensed installers.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: Delta Certified Installer

InSinkErator eLearning Center

  • What you learn: short modules on garbage disposers and hot water dispensers.
  • Cost: Cost not listed, check at signup.
  • Link: InSinkErator eLearning Center

Safety (OSHA)

  • There’s no genuinely free official OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 card. The Department of Labor card comes only from authorized trainers, and they charge for it.
  • Sites that say “free OSHA 10” usually mean free practice modules, or they charge for the card at the end.
  • If your employer, union, or trade school offers OSHA 10 at no cost to you, take it.

Know one we missed?

If you’re a pro and you know a real, free manufacturer training we should list, email us at [email protected] with the name and the official link. We check every one before it goes up.

Honest Bob Co isn’t affiliated with, paid by, or endorsed by any company on this page. Programs, prices, and requirements change all the time, so check the official link before you sign up. Links checked Sep 28, 2026.